Top Rungs, pg. 27
Ladders can reach new heights of style when you use them as shelves, towel racks, bedside tables, and more.

Sizing Up a Small Place, pg. 162
With clever storage strategies and easy decorating tricks, a too-small apartment becomes a showcase for living large.

Summer Hair, pg. 172
Have sun and chlorine taken a toll on your hair? You can restore moisture, shine, strength, and even color with products found right in your kitchen.

Summer on Ice, pg. 180
Pick now, freeze for later — possibly much later. These pairs of recipes will help you savor perfectly ripe corn, tomatoes, peaches, and plums well past Halloween.

Web Exclusive: How Long Can You Refrigerate or Freeze Food?

Uncommon Celebrations, pg. 190
Happy birthdays are nice. But how about happy first day of school or I-survived-divorce day? Here, five women find unusual reasons to party.

The Guide

Beauty

Balms that soften, soothe, and protect your lips, p. 77

What price beauty? A primer on which products are worth paying more for — and which to get for a steal, pg. 83

Body

Mouthwashes do more than freshen breath — they can help prevent gum disease and even fight cavities. A guide to which gargles do what, pg. 99

Home

Street smarts: eye-catching house numbers and where to put them, pg. 99

Everything you need to know about zipper-seal plastic bags, plus surprising new uses, pg. 109

Style

Combine eight fashion staples with three stylish standouts to create a week’s worth of outfits, pg. 121

Life

What to do when the unexpected happens? Here are smart first steps for 14 scenarios, pg. 129

Let the games begin. Fun picks to entertain any group, pg. 139

Web Exclusive: Should You Let Kids Win?

The Organizer

All the supplies you need to make minor mending a snap — no matter your level of sewing skill — and the best ways to stash them, pg. 151

Solutions

New Uses for Old Things, pg. 47
Eggshells help glass sparkle; citrus shells serve up summer desserts.

Products of the Month, pg. 50
Ice-cube trays that are easy to crack; window cleaner that won’t run.

Party Trick, pg. 57
A better way to butter corn on the cob.

Easy Upgrade, pg. 58
With the right inserts and insoles, your favorite shoes won’t kill your feet.

Modern Manners, pg. 60
When married friends get divorced, can you stay friends with both of them?

Fake It, Don’t Make It, pg. 62
Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

Cooking

The Staple, pg. 201
Six delicious reasons to rush out and buy a bunch of basil.

Web Exclusive: What to Do with Leftover Basil

Five Easy Dinners, pg. 215
A week’s worth of quick- to-fix meals.

Taste Test, pg. 227
Store-bought lemonades to see you through the dog days.

Shopping List/Recipe Index, pg. 230

Soul

Thoughts, pg. 6

Your Words, pg. 33
What’s the most fearless thing you’ve ever done?

Web Exclusive: More of Your Most Fearless Acts

But Enough About Me, pg. 67
After several Me Decades with selfish parents and boyfriends, writer Merrill Markoe finally stopped letting narcissists have their way with her.

Postscript, pg. 236
An excerpt from A Three Dog Life: A Memoir, by Abigail Thomas.

In Every Issue

Why Not? pg. 10

Editor’s Note, pg. 22

Contributors, pg. 24

Credits, pg. 233

Real Simple To Go, pg. 238